Ukraine sent a request to Brazil to purchase Guarani armored personnel carriers – media

10 May, 2023 Guarani armored personnel carrier. Photo credits: IDV The Government of Ukraine sent a request to the Ministry of Defense of Brazil for the export of Guarani armored personnel carriers for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The request regards 450 units of armored medical evacuation vehicles. The Brazilian publication TecnoDefesa reported on this. The document addressed to the Ministry of Defense of Brazil states that the equipment will be painted in red and yellow colors.

It will be used to evacuate the civilian population and transport the wounded from the war zone. It is noted that such an agreement would be important for Brazil, as it would guarantee the development of a medical version of Guarani APC. In addition, it would help expand the production line of the Iveco Defense Vehicles in the city of Seti Lagoas.

Guarani armored personnel carrier. Photo credits: IDV

It is also an opportunity to resume the development of other versions of Guarani. It is known that as of 2021, only the VBTP version has been completed, which is a Guarani military transport version.

All other options are under development. In addition, it is emphasized that Ukraine is ready to purchase a vehicle with a C2 Brazilian control system. It is a system that updates the vehicle commander with information on the vehicle's condition and external data, such as geolocation and surveillance camera images.

In addition, it may collect information from external platforms. In combat vehicles, C2 also collects information about the amount of ammunition, direction of fire and targets, etc.

The vehicles requested by Ukraine should be paid for by the allies and guaranteed to carry out humanitarian missions. Sources report that the Brazilian Defense Minister has not yet received the letter, although it was sent in late April. It is noted that previously, Ukraine has already sent a request to Brazil to purchase between 100 and 1,500 units of Guarani vehicles in the military transport version.

IDV also appealed to the government for permission to start the negotiation process. These requests had been rejected.

Iveco Guarani Guarani 6x6 armored personnel carrier. Photo from open sources

If there is a rejection this time, Brazil may compromise its image in the eyes of the international community, since it is not a sale of military equipment that is in question.

Guarani

The Guarani is a family of 20-tonne 6x6 armored amphibious vehicles jointly developed by Iveco Defense Vehicles and the Brazilian Army under a 2009 contract.

Being 6.9 meters long, 2.7 meters wide, and 2.3 meters high, it can be transported by C-130 Hercules and KC-390 aircraft.

Iveco Guarani Guarani 6x6 armored personnel carrier. Photo from open sources

This family of armored vehicles can be equipped with manned and unmanned turrets with weapons ranging between 5.56 and 30 mm. The design of the equipment is modular, which allows you to choose the configuration required by the customer without unnecessary engineering work.

The Guarani can be designed as a combat vehicle, a reconnaissance vehicle, a mobile command post, an evacuation vehicle, or an ambulance.